New comic book store in Lake County

Solo Comics opened its doors in the Silver Dollar Plaza, located at 9800 Highway 53 in Lower Lake, with a selection of classic and modern comics and other comic-related goods.

Proprietor James Ortega said he's having a blast with the new venture. "It's been a lot of fun just ordering the merchandise. It's like Christmas everyday," he said. "The cool thing is there is something for everyone from 'Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers' and 'The Adventurer' all the way to the 'Walking Dead' and other popular adult titles."

Solo Comics stocks Japanese comic favorites, too. Ortega has Americanized versions, which read from left to right as well as Japanese versions that read opposite. "It's definitely interesting trying to learn to read (the Japanese version) after you're used to reading the others," he said.

Ortega said he'd always wanted to be an entrepreneur and originally intended to open a gift shop at some point in his life. He said while working at Flyer's Gas Station in Clearlake one of his coworkers expressed interest in opening a comic book store.

"That really got my wheels turning," Ortega said. "I saw a real need for something like this. I was going to Santa Rosa all the time for my comics and I know a bunch of other people were, too."

Ortega said he offers more than comic books. He has a selection of novelty items such as wallets based off of old comics, action figures, clothes and other items. "Where else are you going to find a Ghostbusters backpack around here?" he asked. "I'm also bringing back Pogs."

Solo Comics carries specialty sodas such as butterscotch rootbeer, Sasparilla and the Japanese soda, Rumune. "I love having all these different specialty sodas. You can't get most of them anywhere else in the county," Ortega said.

Ortega welcomes the work of area artists for showing and sales at Solo Comics. He said while he recognizes the drug and crime problems in the county, he thinks there's a bigger concern. "Crime and drugs are everywhere. I think there's more concern for low self-esteem in our community," he said. "Maybe if we can find a way to showcase the talent of a few of our artists, we can raise our collective self-esteem."

Some of the classic titles on the shelves include "Star Wars," "Star Trek" and "The Dark Crystal," the latter of which Ortega said is a prequel to the movie. "That's the good thing about a lot of comic books. They are actually prequels that give you a fuller picture of the story," he said.

Ortega said if he doesn't have what the reader is looking for in stock, he can always order it.

Solo Comics is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday. For more information call 295-2297 or visit the website at www.solo-comics.com.